Breathing Exercises -- Stage 5

Free up individual ribs of the left rib cage.

Caution: Breathing exercises presented here are not for people with osteoporosis, osteopenia, or fragile bones. If you have a history of tumors, pneumothorax, or hemothorax, you will need to seek medical advice and/or supervision prior to performing any breathing exercises.

Purpose: To free the left rib cage by stabilizing and holding individual ribs while moving the torso.

Start: Begin by sitting down in a comfortable, upright position with your feet placed firmly on the ground.

Step 1: Place the fingers of both hands securely on the lowest left rib.

Step 2: Move this rib along different axes to free it up. Use your hands to hold this rib fairly 'still', and use torso movements to move the rest of the ribcage around it. Holding onto the rib:

(a.) Press the rib into the body and then release several times.

(b.) Bend your torso forward and backward.

(c.) Side-bend your torso to the left and right several times.

(d.) Twist your torso to the left and right several times.

Step 3: Once you have that rib moving freely in all directions, move your fingers to the next higher rib.

End: Repeat steps 2 – 3 until you have freed up the highest rib on your left side.

Observe: As you repeat this exercise, you will notice that your body is able to move more freely in all directions. You will also find that you are able to breathe more easily at the left side of your chest.